London Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport - London Stansted Airport - terminal building, departures and arrivals

London Stansted Airport (IATA Flight Code: STN) is London's third airport. It's to the north-east of London, half way to Cambridge (England) | Cambridge, so about 30 miles or 50 kilometers from each city. It's the fourth-busiest airport in the United Kingdom, with 27 million passengers in 2018. It's mostly used by budget carriers to European destinations, predominantly Ryanair.

The airport is owned by MAG, Manchester Airport Group, who also own East Midlands as well as Manchester Airport.

London Stansted Airport Halal Explorer

Stansted is excellent for direct low-cost flights across Europe, especially away from the capitals. Thus, from Rome to London there's plenty of choice, but from Bari, Palermo or Turin it would otherwise be difficult to get here without paying three times as much and taking three times longer.

Stansted is okay for travel to central London. It's further out and pricier to reach than Heathrow or Gatwick, see transport options below. Nevertheless there are frequent buses and trains south to London, and north to Cambridge and the Midlands.

Stansted is poor for:

• flights beyond Europe, though Morocco and Dubai are served.
• transfers to other airports - allow at least two hours to reach Heathrow or Gatwick, on top of the normal two hour check-in & security time.
• flight connections at Stansted - as these are budget airlines flying point-to-point, you may have to re-check between flights, at your own risk if your incoming flight is late.
• flights within UK, other than for Edinburgh and [[Northern Ireland.
• currency exchange, never good at an airport, is especially poor here, see "Buy"

Muslim Friendly Flights from London Stansted Airport

Stansted is dominated by the low-cost airlines Ryanairand [EasyJet EasyJet which have large bases at the airport. Holiday charter airlines TUI and Pegasus also operate at the airport. A few other scheduled carriers fly to European destinations from Stansted and there are a small number of intercontinental flights.

Flights are normally from 06:00 to 23:00; the airport terminal remains open 24/7 but most facilities close overnight. Delayed passengers arriving during the small hours had better assume everything landside will be closed, so use the toilets in the baggage reclaim hall before emerging onto a draughty sidewalk. See transport section below for first & last buses and trains.

Orientation

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Stansted has only one passenger terminal, a single block on a single level which is easy to navigate. Landside and the northeast side (right as you enter) has arrivals, a few shops and cafes, a left luggage and bag-wrap facility, ATMs and currency exchange kiosks, and toilets. The central area is check-in. The southwest end is departure security gates, security fast-track costs £7. Then you enter the airside retail mall which snakes through to the airside concourse, see below for cafes there. Automated trams serve the two satellite departure areas for Gates 1-19 and 20-39.

The railway & bus stations 51.890, 0.263 are down the ramps just outside the terminal.

Ground transportation

To London

Train is quickest. The Stansted Express runs to London Liverpool Street (for mainline, suburban and Underground trains) every 15 mins, taking 50 mins. Trains run between 06:00 and 00:30 and also stop at Stansted Mountfichet, Bishop's Stortford, Harlow and Tottenham Hale (also on the Underground). Single tickets are £18, open returns valid one month are £30; online advance fares can be as low as £7.

For destinations east of the centre (eg Stratford), north (Finsbury Park, King's Cross and Euston), and Victoria, it may be cheaper and quicker to change at Tottenham Hale for the Underground Victoria Line. Consider buying an London#Oyster card|Oyster card there, and see London#GetAround.

Buses by National Express are half the price, serve more city-centre locations direct, and run 24 hours so they're the best option for a very early flight. They can take much longer due to traffic, but at 5 am that won't be a problem. Their routes are:

• A6 from Portman Plaza via Marble Arch, Paddington, Baker Street, Street John's Wood, Finchley Road, Frognal and Golders Green.
• A7 from Victoria Coach Station and Railway Station via Waterloo, Southwark, Whitechapel, Mile End and Bow.
• A8 from King's Cross via Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Shoreditch, Bethnal Green and South Hackney.
• A9 from Stratford non-stop.

Buses by Airport Bus Express have similar prices and travel durations. They run 06:00-02:00 and their routes are:

• A20 from Victoria Coach Station via Baker Street / Gloucester Place.
• A21 from Liverpool Street via Stratford.

Taxis and minicabs to central London may take up to two hours. Stansted Airport Cars are based in arrivals and charge £100 per vehicle to central London. It's usually better to take a train to the station nearest your destination and then pick up a taxi there.

To other airports

To Heathrow: National Express run a direct bus, hourly, taking 90 mins to LHR Terminals 1, 2 & 3, single fare £25.

Otherwise you have to travel into central London by train, cross the city by Underground then travel out again. Reckon the best part of three hours.

To Gatwick: take the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale and then Underground to Kings Cross Street Pancras and then a southbound train for Brighton via Gatwick.

To other cities

 Arriva CrossCountry trains run hourly to Birmingham New Street via Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough (for trains north eg to Leeds, York and Newcastle) and Leicester. Cambridge also has Greater Anglia trains, so that makes two per hour. 

National Express buses run directly to Luton, Coventry, Norwich, Ipswich (England) | Ipswich, Nottingham, Cardiff and Bath.

Local buses run to Bishop's Stortford, Saffron Walden, Chelmsford, Braintree and Harlow.

By car: All the major automobile rental services have desks at the airport. For fuel there is a BP near the Mid-stay vehicle park and a Shell at the motorway service station, but it's cheaper at Tesco on the west side of the Bishop's Stortford ring road. Driving back to the airport, use Junction 8 of M11. This comes to the turn-off for Long-stay parking and then you briefly join A120 east (so it will feel like you've overshot the airport) then exit towards Mid-stay and the terminal, and vehicle rental lots.

Wait

The "Escape Lounge" is airside (between Coast-to-Coast and Pret), £25 for a relaxing area with complimentary food, drink and wifi. It's open daily 04:00-20:30. There are no airline lounges at Stansted as there are no full-service airlines here.

Apart from eating, drinking, shopping, and sitting around there is little to do at the airport. Bring something to occupy yourself, such as a book or i-phone. Wifi is free for 4 hours then £9 for the rest of 24 hours, select network '_stanstedairport' and follow on-screen prompts.

See "Nearby" for places you could visit if you had several hours to kill.

Halal Food & Restaurants in London Stansted Airport

These establishments are open from first flight until last flight unless described otherwise.

Landside: Remember you can not take drinks through security. Outlets (clustered near arrivals) are Pret (24 hours), Burger King (Please do not support Burger King as Burger King supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant) and Costa, plus confectionery etc at Spar and WH Smiths.

Airside eateries are in the concourse after you've run the gauntlet of the duty-free strip. In early 2019 these are Cabin (upmarket bar serving fruit cocktails, fruit cocktails and food), The Camden (breakfasts and pub food), Coast-to-Coast (American diner), Giraffe (restaurant with fast food), Halo ("fizz bar"), Harris + Hoole (24 hours, coffee shop), Itsu (Japanese), James Martin (bakery), Joe & The Juice, Joe's Coffee House, Leon (Mediterranean), Not Always Caviar (baguettes), Pret, Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.) (24 hours), and The Windmill (JD Wetherspoon's pub).

The areas around the departure gates, in the main building and two satellites, only have a few small convenience outlets.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in London Stansted Airport

Not currency, if you can help it; the term "currency exchange" implies that you get something back for whatever you give them, but at Stansted that won't be much. The kiosks (landside & airside) are run by Moneycorp and gouge +/- 30% either side of bank rate for major currencies, eg 1.30 Euro > £1 > 70 cents. You're even worse out of pocket on other currencies such as Turkish lira. These are probably the worst rates anywhere in the UK.

Landside there is a WHSmith newsagents and a small Boots chemist.

In the departure lounge there are a number of stores including Hugo Boss, Mulberry, Hamleys and Dixons as well as a large WHSmith. The duty-free store for drink, tobacco etc is run by Heinemann, you can compare prices in their online catalogue with high street rates.

Cope in London Stansted Airport

There's a multi-faith prayer room landside near arrivals, and another airside near the Escape Lounge. Both are open 24 hours and have ritual washing facilities.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to London Stansted Airport

London Stansted Airport - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to London Stansted Airport, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for London Stansted Airport. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in London Stansted Airport and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to London Stansted Airport. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to London Stansted Airport. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLondon Stansted Airport: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in London Stansted Airport.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in London Stansted Airport: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in London Stansted Airport, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in London Stansted Airport.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in London Stansted Airport, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in London Stansted Airport, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within London Stansted Airport and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in London Stansted Airport, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in London Stansted Airport, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of London Stansted Airport without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for London Stansted Airport is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring London Stansted Airport.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group London Stansted Airport is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in London Stansted Airport, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group London Stansted Airport Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

In the terminal: They don't mind you waiting hours in the terminal, but they don't like you getting too comfy, and prohibit the use of sleeping-bags or anything that looks like camping. ("Health & Safety!" they cry - the British recite this phrase whenever they're feeling officious and obstructive.) However out of hours there's often a quiet area where you can hunker down, only disturbed every 20 mins by shrill automated announcements or security staff. Airside and the seating area downstairs for Gates 90-93 is often quiet.

Airport hotels: Two hotels are adjacent to the terminal, a two-minutes walk.

• Radisson Blu Hotel - Waltham Close CM24 1PP 51.892344, 0.264892 200 yards NE of terminal ☎ +44 1279 661012 B&B double £90 . Good value 4-star, great location, though restaurant erratic and fitness centre kinda worn.

• Hampton by Hilton - Bassingbourn Road CM24 1QW 51.888, 0.259 ☎ +44 1279 680800 Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 12:00 B&B double £90 . Good affordable 3-star, great location just Southwest of terminal.

Two others are next to the Mid-stay vehicle park a mile southwest at Bassingbourne roundabout. There's also a McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant), Starbucks (Please do not support Starbucks as Starbucks supports Israel. Shun this coffee and go for alternative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned brand.), an M&S convenience store and a filling station here. These hotels are reached by a shuttle-bus, £3 per trip, but you can use the free Mid-stay vehicle park bus, getting on and off at the passenger drop-off area just beyond the vehicle park exit barriers. Or you can walk from the terminal, but it's a dreary ratty road without a proper sidewalk.

• Holiday Inn Express - Thremhall Avenue CM24 1PY 51.876066, 0.247340 ☎ +44 1279 680015 B&B double £65 . Convenient clean mid-range choice.

• Premier Inn - Thremhall Ave CM24 1PY 51.875642, 0.245162 ☎ +44 871 527 9352 B&B double £60 . Reliable mid-range chain. Overnight parking £8, no long-stay, use airport vehicle parks.

Within ten minutes drive are a couple of dozen mid-range places geared to airport users. They may offer deals on extended parking and transfers to the terminal.

Nearby

• Cambridge (England) | Cambridge is top choice if you've four or more hours spare: wander the wonderful old streets and colleges. Thirty minutes by train twice an hour; the station is a mile or so south of town but there's a bus.
• Stansted Mountfitchet has an old castle (basically a theme park) and windmill. It's only six minutes away via hourly trains towards London Liverpool Street.
• Bishop's Stortford is a small market town. The ruined castle is just a grassy knoll. Nine minutes away by train towards London Liverpool Street every 30 mins.
• Saffron Walden, six miles north off M11, in summer has Audley End Jacobean Mansion and Gardens. The Mansion is a mile from Audley End train station (trains towards Cambridge) so you could walk, but more likely you'd come here if you had a hired vehicle and were too early for your accommodation or return to the airport. See East Anglia for similar options within an hour's drive, such as Ely.
• London itself doesn't work as a day-trip unless you've six or more hours to kill; the train takes 50 mins to Liverpool Street in the northeast of the city then it's another 30 mins by Underground to the central sights.

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